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Defra cuts red-tape for game industry and farmers

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (239/07) issued by The Government News Network on 2 August 2007

New measures to reduce regulatory burdens for game shooting businesses and farmers were announced today, by Jeff Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food.

The Heather and Grass Burning Regulations 2007 update Defra's policy on the controlled use of fire in the management of moorland and heathland. The regulations are accompanied the Heather and Grass Burning Code 2007. Their aim is to ensure that burning takes place safely and with respect for wildlife and the environment.

The Regulations reduce red tape, and maintain light-touch controls for the responsible majority of burners. They introduce new protection for soils, while keeping the safety requirements of the 1986 Regulations. The Code is a new voluntary industry standard. It gives advice on good practice, and guidance on the law. The Code was written in partnership with grouse moor managers, farmers and other experts.

The regulations will be administered by Natural England.

Jeff Rooker also announced the new Regulatory Reform Deer Order 2007 (England and Wales). This will help to improve management of our wild deer populations and enhance the welfare of wild deer. Improved management will help to prevent the deterioration of natural heritage, preserve public safety and prevent serious damage to property.

These regulations will come into effect from 1 October 2007.

Defra recently announced new reforms for game licensing in England and Wales, which were effective from 1 August 2007. These will improve consumer choice by enabling game dealers to sell game all year round, and make the shooting of and dealing in game less bureaucratic.

Jeff Rooker said:

"These reforms illustrate Defra's commitment to modern regulation and cutting red tape. We have worked closely with farmers, grouse moor managers and other experts and game retailers, and really listened to their views and advice. I am encouraged by their support, and I hope the approach we are taking will prove to be good for business and the environment."

The new Heather and Grass Burning Regulations and Code were welcomed by representatives of the game industry and farmers:

David Fursdon, President of the CLA said:

"We are delighted that Defra has launched this initiative aimed at minimising the regulatory burden on responsible land managers. A voluntary approach is what is needed as we face the challenges of the future."

Simon Bostock, Chairman of the Moorland Association said:

"We are very encouraged that burning, used sustainably as a part of grouse moor management, has been recognised by this Government as a crucial part of creating and maintaining a healthy uplands in terms of landscape, habitat, wildlife and carbon lock up. Our expertise in this field has been carefully listened to and we support the new measures and will strongly advocate the common sense Code to all our members and their keepers."

Lindsay Waddell, Chairman of the National Gamekeeper's Organisation said:
"On behalf of its moorland members the National Gamekeepers Organisation is delighted the Government has recognised the importance of sustainable burning in the management of heather moorland, a world-scarce resource.
Through our training organisation, NGO Training, we will make available an optional heather burning course to all practitioners to encourage awareness of the new requirements."

Notes for editors

1) These reforms to simplify regulation are part of Defra's commitment to reduce its administrative burdens by 25% by 2010.

2) Details of The Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2007 and The Heather and Grass Burning Code 2007 can be found at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/farming-wildlife/burning

The Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2007 replace Regulations made in 1986, and will come into force from 1 October. The new rules:

* reduce red-tape and maintain light-touch controls for the responsible majority of burners;

* keep the safety requirements of the 1986 Regulations: (i) a burning season which limits burns to the cooler, wetter months when risks are lower; and (ii) burning must be conducted safely, taking all due precautions;

* introduce new protection for soils via new bans (targeted at an irresponsible minority) on types of burning which can lead to a high risk of soil exposure and erosion, which can harm wildlife, pollute water courses and cause carbon to be lost from peat soils.

The Heather and Grass Burning Code 2007 was written by Defra and Natural England in partnership with grouse moor managers, farmers and other experts. It sets out the most up-to-date expert advice on how to burn in ways which benefit and do not harm wildlife, peat soils and the wider environment.

3) The Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 amends the Deer Act 1991, to facilitate improved management of and to enhance the welfare of wild deer.

Amendments relating to Deer management:

* Allow the use of 0.22 centre fire rifles for shooting smaller species of deer, namely muntjac & Chinese water deer

* Enable licensed killing or taking of deer during the close season to prevent deterioration of the natural heritage or to preserve public health and safety

* Enable licensed killing or taking of deer at night to prevent deterioration of the natural heritage, to preserve public health and safety or to prevent serious damage to property.

* Shorten the close season for all female deer to allow better control of population numbers by moving the commencement date to 1st April.

* Amend the meaning of mechanically propelled vehicle in the Deer Act to permit discharging of firearms or projecting missiles from a mechanically propelled vehicle that is stationary.

Amendments relating to Deer Welfare

* Allow any reasonable means of humanely dispatching deer that are suffering due to illness or disease;

* Allow dependent deer to be taken or killed if they have been of, or are about to be deprived of, their mother, at any time of the year;

* Introduce a close season fro Chinese water deer and hybrid species from 1st April to 31st October inclusive.

For more information please see
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/deer.htm

5) The Regulatory Reform Game Order 2007 comes into effect on 1 August 2007. It will:

* remove the restriction on dealing in game birds and venison during the close season. This means that any person will be allowed to sell game and venison all year round provided the animals in question were only killed in the open season;

* remove the requirement for a licence to kill or take game; and

* remove the requirement for two licences for game dealers to sell game.

More guidance for game dealers and retailers on implementing the new regulations can be viewed at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/gamelicensing

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